Sufi lodge

One example of a medieval khanqah, this one in Isfahan . A Khanqah , Khaniqah (also transliterated as Khanqa , and Khaneqa Persian: خانگاه Khanegah and خانقاه Khaneghah), ribat , zawiya , or tekke is a building designed specifically for gatherings of a Sufi brotherhood, or tariqa , and is a place for spiritual retreat and character reformation. In the past, and to a lesser extent nowadays, they often served as hospices for Sufi travelers ( Salik ) and Islamic students ( Talib ). Khanqahs are very often found adjoined to Dargahs (shrine of a Sufi saint), mosques and madrasas (Islamic schools). They are found throughout the Persian-influenced Islamic world, especially Iran , Central Asia and South Asia . In the Arab world, especially North Africa, similar buildings are also found, which are known in Arabic as a zawiya or zaouia (Arabic: زاوية zāwiya). In Turkey and other formerly Ottoman areas like Albania and Bosnia , similar buildings are called locally tekke or tekye (تكيه). In South Asia, the word Khanqah and Dargah are used interchangeably for the Sufi shrines. It is not at all clear when Sufism emerged as a movement within Islam , or when the first khanqah was built. Sufis themselves trace their movement back to Muhammad ; academic historians argue for later dates. Jonathan Berkey writes: One of the characteristic features of later medieval Sufism was the spread of institutions, variously known as khanqahs or ribats , complete with buildings and endowments which housed and supported the activities of the mystics. Their origins are quite obscure, but it is likely that their roots lie in ninth- and tenth-century Iran .

A khanqah or khaniqah (also transliterated as khanqa , khaneqa ( ), khanegah or khaneqah ( خانقاه )), also known as a ribat ( رباط ) – among other terms – is a building designed specifically for gatherings of a Sufi brotherhood, or tariqa , and is a place for spiritual retreat and character reformation. In the past, and to a lesser extent nowadays, they often served as hospices for Sufi travelers ( salik ) and Islamic students . Khanqahs are very often found adjoined to dargahs (shrines of Sufi saints), mosques and madrasas (Islamic schools). They are found throughout the Persian -influenced Islamic world , especially Iran , Central Asia and South Asia . In the Arab world , especially North Africa , similar buildings are also found, which are known in Arabic as zawiyya (زاویه; also transliterated as zawiya , zāwiya or zaouia ). In Turkey and other formerly Ottoman areas like Albania and Bosnia , they are locally referred to as tekije (تكيه; also transliterated as tekke , teqe or takiyah ). In South Asia, the words khanqah and dargah are used interchangeably for Sufi shrines. Example of a modern Khanqah Khairiyyah An example of a medieval khanqah at Isfahan , Iran . Khanqahs later spread across the Islamic world, from Morocco to Indonesia .

A khanqah or khaniqah (also transliterated as khankahs , khaneqa , khanegah or khaneqah ( )), also known as a ribat ( رباط ) – among other terms – is a building designed specifically for gatherings of a Sufi brotherhood or tariqa and is a place for spiritual retreat and character reformation. In the past, and to a lesser extent nowadays, they often served as hospices for saliks (Sufi travelers), Murids (initiates) and talibs (Islamic students). Khanqahs are very often found adjoined to dargahs (shrines of Sufi saints) and türbes (tombs of notables), mosques and madrasas (Islamic schools). In the Arab world , especially North Africa , the khanqah is known as a zāwiyah ( , plural zāwiyāt ; also transliterated as zawiya , zāwiya or zaouia ). In Turkey , Iran and formerly Ottoman areas like Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina , they are locally referred to as tekije ( تكيه ; also transliterated as tekke , tekyeh , teqe or takiyah ). In South Asia, the words khanqah and dargah are used interchangeably for Sufi shrines. In addition, there are lodges in Central and South Asia often referred to as Qalander Khane that serve as rest houses for the unaffiliated malang , dervishes and fakirs . Tohidkhaneh , a medieval khanqah in Isfahan , Iran . Khanqahs later spread across the Islamic world, from Morocco to Indonesia .

Building for gatherings of a Sufi brotherhood "Takiyya" redirects here. A khanqah ( ) or khangah ( ; also transliterated as khankah , khaneqa , khanegah or khaneqah ; also Arabized hanegah , hanikah , hanekah , khankan ), also known as a ribat ( رباط ), is a building designed specifically for gatherings of a Sufi brotherhood or tariqa and is a place for spiritual practice and religious education. The khanqah is typically a large structure with a central hall and smaller rooms on either side. Traditionally, the kahnqah was state-sponsored housing for Sufis. Their primary function is to provide them with a space to practice social lives of asceticism. Buildings intended for public services, such as hospitals, kitchens, and lodging, are often attached to them. Khanqahs were funded by Ayyubid sultans in Syria, Zangid sultans in Egypt, and Delhi sultans in India in return for Sufi support of their regimes. The formation of Islam : religion and society in the Near East, 600-1800 . The popularisation of Sufism in Ayyubid and Mamluk Egypt, 1173-1325 . OCLC 919188147 . : CS1 maint: location missing publisher ( link ) Nizami, Khaliq Ahmad (1957).